Why Keep a Pregnancy Journal?
Writing in a journal throughout your pregnancy can be really helpful to you! When you’re pregnant, your hormones are all over the place. Adding adoption into the mix can make things even more overwhelming.
It can help to to express your feelings by getting them all “out there” and writing them down. Expressing your feelings can ease stress, which in turn boosts your strength and immunity!
A pregnancy journal “… could be a chance to document your experiences, feelings, dreams and hopes for the sake of memories. The data supports that any form of journaling can be really therapeutic and protective for mental health, and utilizing a pregnancy journal is no exception,” says Aparna Iyer, MD, a psychiatrist in with a focus on prenatal mental health.
Video: How Journaling Helps – Watch Now
Table of Contents
- Why Keep a Pregnancy Journal?
- Benefits for Birth Mothers
- How to Start Your Pregnancy Journal
- How Lifetime Adoption Supports You
Benefits for Birth Mothers
Taking the time to write down your feelings about your pregnancy and your baby in a journal can be helpful. Writing is a good way to keep track of your questions and the adoption info you collect, so you can see what will work best for you and your baby.
In your pregnancy journal, you could write about all the emotions and moods you’re going through. One of the best things about keeping a journal is that it gives you a safe spot to express your feelings. When you take the time to write about the day’s events, stuff you’ve had in your subconscious mind usually comes to the surface. This is good because it means your mind can then deal with the challenges you’re facing. It equips you to make decisions based on what you want.
Expressing negative thoughts in your pregnancy journal can take the edge off them. You can then open your journal to talk about what’s on your mind with a psychologist or peer counselor, if you choose.
How to Start Your Pregnancy Journal
Decide on which format you’d like to use, a physical notebook, a computer, an audio recorder, or videos: whatever feels natural to you.
Then set a routine: once a day or even every few days, write what’s on your mind and heart. Find a time that works best for you to write in your journal, and make it a habit to write at the same time every day. You might find that the best time for journaling is before you go to sleep. Or, maybe you’ll choose to write during your lunch break at work. The important thing is to pick a time, and stick with it. You can definitely write in it anytime you’re inspired, but getting into a routine is a good starting point.
Use prompts to help like:
- “Today I felt…”
- “What surprised me the most this week was…”
- “I’m hopeful for…”
- “I’m worried or scared about…”
You can also include notes about appointments, symptoms, questions for your doctor or adoption coordinator.
In your pregnancy journal, you might also write about your changing body. Record your baby’s development as well as your own. Include important moments from doctor visits, such as how you felt when you first heard your baby’s heartbeat. Write down your physical experiences too, from the weird foods you craved to your pregnancy symptoms.
Don’t worry about making it perfect, this journal is for you.
How Lifetime Adoption Supports You
We offer free birth mother resources to help you with what you need. This includes clothing, journals, peer counseling, and more, all free to you.
We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to talk about your feelings, your choices, and your future. If you’re considering adoption, your journal can help you describe what you want for your baby, your life, your healing.
Lifetime can connect you to someone who you can talk about your feelings with, free of charge. You can choose to have phone counseling with both a licensed counselor and with a peer counselor. A peer counselor is a woman who’s been where you are now: considering adoption for her baby. She has gone through the adoption process, created a plan, and placed her baby with an adoptive family. It’s helpful to have your journal out when you talk to her, so you can bring up all of the feelings you’re having right now.
Reach out to us any time for more guidance, a listening ear, or to set up your personal plan.
Lifetime Adoption is here 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you might have about adoption for your baby. You can call or text us at 1-800-923-6784.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on January 27, 2017, and has since been updated.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
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